The Sun has got its hat on

Slip, slop, slap, seek & slide!  Long-range charts show we're heading for a heatwave this Summer

It’s summertime and we all like how the sun feels on our face. When the sun is shining, we think of getting a healthy glow and sitting in a pub garden having a cold one or just topping up our vitamin D. But really what we need to do is protect ourselves from it!

Last month was Skin Cancer Awareness month. Do you remember this truck driver with severe sun damage on one side of his face? A study by the New England Journal of Medicine released back in 2012 reported on a truck driver who had been driving for over 28 years and the intense damage that the sun had caused by coming through his truck’s window. While glass does filter out harmful UVB rays, it cannot filter out harmful UVA rays and they are the ones you really need to protect your skin from.

As a driver out in your cabs every day, you are at high risk of UV sun exposure and skin cancer. By taking some simple preventative measures, you can protect your skin. 

Ways to protect yourself from the sun whilst driving.

• Slop on sunscreen every day:  Apply sunscreen to your face, arms and hands. You should focus on the right side of your body because it’s most likely to receive the most sun exposure. Apply 20 minutes before going outdoors. SPF 30+ or above, broad spectrum UVA sunscreen is recommended. It should be a broad spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVB and UVA rays because UVA rays are the most likely ones to penetrate window glass and cause damage. And remember even when it’s cloudy or snowing, you need to apply sunscreen.
• Slip on and cover up: Wear longer sleeves to protect your skin from the sun. Try to wear clothing with a close weave as this will provide more protection. Certain fabric won’t fully protect you from sun exposure so you should still apply sunscreen.
• Slap on a hat:  Wide brimmed hats can also provide a level of protection for your face and head.
• Seek: Whenever possible find some shade when you are outside taking a break.
• Slide on sunglasses: Radiation from the sun can damage your eyes and even cause cancer. Safeguard your eyesight with sunglasses that provide UV protection. Look for the European CE mark which indicates a safe level of protection.

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